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If you've ever considered working as a courier then you're not alone. A lot of people like the idea of not being stuck behind a desk all day and being able to work without a boss looking over their shoulder.

Although working as a courier can definitely be a good way to make a living, there are some practical aspects of the job that you should be aware of. These include...

It can be stressful

One thing to know about working as a courier is that it can be very stressful, particularly when you're working during rush hour. This isn't unique to courier of course, any job that requires you to be on the road can be stressful at times.

Most courier drivers find they're able to cope with the stressful periods though as it doesn't make up the bulk of the job.

You'll need to have a suitable vehicle

Although it is possible to work as a courier by using a car, it's much better if you have a van. This is because you'll be able to take on more work and fit larger parcels in your vehicle.

Having your own van will make you more attractive to potential employers too so it's definitely worth making the investment.

You'll need to get your own insurance

Another aspect of working as a courier is that you'll need to get the right type of insurance. Although getting cover for road risks is important you'll also want to consider covering the parcels you carry as well as getting cover for things like liability claims and breakdowns. You can do this by getting a good courier insurance policy.

There are many sites where you can easily get courier insurance quotes now so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a policy at a reasonable price.

You'll often need to work long hours

Because working as a courier isn't what would be considered a highly specialised job i.e. you need a lot of training and expertise to do it - this means there are a lot of people currently working as couriers. The knock on effect of this is that you'll need to work long hours in order to make a decent wage. This will sometimes mean working till late into the evening to get all your deliveries done.… Read more

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If you want to save money on minibus insurance then it's incredibly useful to know what factors affect cost. This way you can make adjustments where possible in order to reduce the cost of your policy.

Below are some of the main things that affect the cost of minibus insurance policy -

How you use your minibus

How you plan to use your minibus will impact the level of cover you require and therefore how much you pay.

If you're minibus is purely for personal/domestic use then you are able to get a third party only policy, helping you to save money while still keeping your vehicle road legal. If you want to use your minibus to make money then you'll need to get a higher level of cover, including public liability insurance.

Note: You'll also need to ensure you have the correct type of licence if you're driving your minibus for hire or reward.

Who you get your policy from

The insurance provider you get your policy from will of course affect how much your cover costs too. The good news is that it's very easy to get minibus insurance quotes now thanks to sites such as Clean Green Compare Minibus insurance.

Your age

Your age is another thing that will affect how much you pay for minibus insurance. You'll need to be at least 21 years of age to be able to legally drive a minibus and unfortunately the younger you are, the more you can expect to pay for cover. This is because younger, more inexperienced drivers are more likely to be involved in incidents that result in a claim.

The value of your minibus

The value of your minibus is certainly something insurance providers will take into account when coming up with a price for your cover. As you would expect, the more your minibus is worth the more you can expect to pay for cover, particularly if you take a comprehensive policy.

The size of your minibus

The size of your minibus affects cost too. The larger your minibus is the more your cover will generally cost. This being the case if you want to save money then a smaller 9 seater minibus would be the best option.

How you pay for your policy

Most people chose to pay for their insurance monthly to help spread the cost but it's possible to get a significant discount by paying annually instead.… Read more

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The cost of car insurance is something that's seemingly increasing all the time. Knowing what factors affect the cost of car insurance can be very helpful when you're trying to save money. With this in mind below are some of the biggest ones.

Your age

Insurance providers consider your age to be one of the most important factors when calculating the cost of a car insurance policy. Younger people are statistically more likely to be involved in accidents and therefore more likely to make a claim. How likely you are to make a claim is one of the major factors that affects the cost of car insurance.

Your driving experience

Age isn't the only factor of course. Even if you're over 30, if you're a new driver then you can expect to pay more than somebody who has several years' worth of driving experience. Again this comes back to how likely you are to be involved in an incident that requires a claim.

Convictions

Criminal convictions are another thing that can increase the price of your car insurance. In fact, depending on how serious your conviction was you might struggle to find cover from a mainstream provider.

For example if you want to get car insurance with a drink driving conviction then you'll expect to pay more for cover and may have to go to a specialist provider.

Also drug driving insurance can also be very expensive and insurance offences can also result in high insurance premiums due to the IN10 conviction incurred

The value of your car

The value of your car will certainly affect how much you pay for cover. It makes sense that more expensive cars will cost more to insure since your insurance provider will have to pay out the repair/replacement costs if your vehicle is damaged, stolen or written off.

Where you park

Where you park your car when it's not being used will affect the cost of car insurance too. Parking your car on a public street will mean your insurance costs more than if you were able to park in a garage or driveway. This is because your car is at more risk of being vandalized or stolen when parked on the street.

The insurance provider

The insurance provider you get your cover from will obviously be a big deciding factor in how much you pay too. Because of this, it's always recommended that you get as many quotes as possible if you want to save money on car insurance.… Read more

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It’s no secret that the cost of motor insurance is rising all the time. A huge contributing factor to this is the large number of insurance scams that take place on the roads each and every year. Usually known as “crash for cash” schemes – these types of scams are designed to make quick and easy money at the expense of another party’s insurance provider.

The way insurance providers respond to these scams is by raising the price of insurance. As unfair as this is, it’s the only way that insurers can respond to an ever-growing problem.

These types of insurance scams not only affective individuals but also countless businesses that rely on the use of vehicles. Fraudsters usually aren’t picky with which type of vehicles they target so the raising insurance rates are causing a big problem across the board.

Something that’s not always discussed however, is that often insurance scams are carried out by employees within the company. This is particularly troublesome for business owners and many are now taking steps in order to combat this problem.

Ways around the problem

Below are some ways that business owners are tackling the problem of rising insurance rates due to crash for cash schemes.

  • Fleet insurance – Getting a fleet policy doesn’t directly tackle the problem of insurance scams but it does provide a way for businesses with multiple vehicles to save money on insurance. Fleet policies are typically cheaper than insuring separately so it’s definitely worth looking into. For haulage and courier delivery fleets its recommended to take out specialist courier insurance cover in addition
  • Background checks – A lot of companies are now carrying out extensive background checks on anyone who applies to work with them. This includes their insurance history and previous claims. This is one of the better ways to weed out any potential fraudsters.
  • Dash cams – There are also a growing number of businesses installing dash cams in their vehicles. Dash cams provide invaluable video evidence that can often prove who is at fault for a collision. An increasing number of insurance providers are now accepting dash cam footage in order to settle claims.

Getting fleet insurance at a competitive rate

If you do decide to get a fleet insurance policy for your business, then you’ll want to take any steps possible to keep the cost to a minimum. Below are some excellent ways to do this.

  • Make your company vehicles secure – Making your vehicles secure will go a long way to reducing the amount you’ll pay for a company fleet insurance policy. Installing alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices is always recommended.
  • Hire experienced drivers – One of the biggest factors that insurance providers take into account when calculating the cost of a policy is the age and driving history of any named drivers. For this reason, you want to make sure that any drivers you hire are experienced and have a clean licence.
  • Shop around – You should make sure that you get quotes from more than one insurance provider so you can compare them and pick the one that offers the best value for money.

 … Read more

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Running a motor trade business can be a great way to make a living.

If you're ever considered but weren't sure where to start then below are some of the main things you need to consider -

The type of business you want to run

There are many types of businesses that operate in the motor trade, from car showrooms to auction houses and MOT garages. When it comes to the type of business you want to run, you should think about where your strengths lie and what you have experience in. A lot of people get started in the motor trade by buying and selling cars. This makes sense since you don't necessarily need to have any prior experience and you can even do this without a premises when you're first starting out.

If you want to do something that requires technical expertise such as repairing or modifying cars, then you'll of course need the right experience and know-how.

Getting the right insurance

A vitally important aspect of running a motor trade business in the UK is having the right cover in place. The main types of cover you can get for a motor trade business are road risks, public liability, premises cover and cover for your tools, stock and cash. You can get motor trade insurance quotes online from sites such as https://www.traders-insurance.com

You are able to get cover for all of the above by getting a combined motor trade insurance policy. Traders-insurance.com combined motor trade insurance cover service enables you to get combined traders insurance quotes from different providers very easily.

Getting a good premises

Another thing you need to think about when starting a motor trade business is getting the right premises. Choosing a good business premises is vital and can be the difference between success and failure. Ideally a premises should be located in a good area, be a good size and be affordable, whether you choose to rent or buy.

Finding good help

Unless you plan to operate a business that you can run on your own then you'll need to find good help. Hiring people for your motor trade business requires to consider a few key things. Firstly and most obviously is the attitude and skills of any potential employees. In addition to having the right skills and experience, you also want to think about things from an insurance perspective. Ideally any staff you hire would be over 25 and have a clean driving and criminal record.… Read more

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When you need to order a taxi, whether it’s to get to the airport, or to get home after an evening out – you no longer need to stand on the street corner or even call the taxi firm.

There are now several apps on the market that make ordering a taxi extremely quick and convenient. While the market is still relatively young, there are already some fantastic taxi apps available to try out. Below are five of the best.

Uber

Uber is easily the most well-known and widely available taxi app on the market and is available in some 48 countries. It’s incredibly easy to use – you simply book a taxi through the app when you need one. There’s no pre-booking option but this isn’t what Uber advertises itself as.

Another thing that makes Uber extremely convenient is that it lets you know what the journey will cost beforehand and you simply through the app – meaning you don’t have to worry about having the right amount of cash to pay the driver.

Also if you happen to leave something in the taxi then you can also message the driver to let them know.

Gett

Gett is an app for booking black cabs that’s available in 32 cities across the world. It allows you to request a taxi and then track where it is in real time. Like Uber – Gett enables you to pay for your journey through the app itself.

Gett only works with TfL regulated black cabs and meets up with every driver that signs up for their service to provide training to ensure passenger safety.

You can get credit to use with the service by recommending it to friends. You get £10 credit for every friend recommended who uses the service. It’s currently available in several major UK cities including London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Hailo

Hailo is another excellent option for booking taxis. It works in a very similar way to Uber in that you simply select a pickup location and driver and then the taxi is sent to you immediately.

There is the ability to track the route of your taxi when it’s on the way but you’ll be informed when it arrives by the app anyhow.

Hailo is available in selected cities in the UK and nationwide in Ireland and Singapore. It’s also available in Spain’s two busiest cities – Madrid and Barcelona.

CabWise

CabWise is somewhat different to the apps above in that it doesn’t allow to book taxis through the app. Instead it simply lets you know of the nearest licensed minicab office.

This might sound like quite a basic thing but it’s actually an extremely useful way to ensure that the minicab that you’re getting in is from a licensed office and the driver is licensed and insured.

Kabbee

Kabbee provides a very similar similar to CabWise except it comes with the bonus of sorting the local minicab offices based on criteria such as fare rates, ratings, types of vehicles and punctuality. This makes it an excellent way to save money and pick the right service when you’re in an area you’re not familiar with.

Kabbee is currently only available in London.

If you considering working as a driver you will need to ensure that the correct uber driver insurance or private hire insurance cover is taken out. When carrying passenger for reward, normal car insurance isnt suitable (thank you to cleangreencars.co.uk for info).

 … Read more

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Buying and selling online is one of the best ways that you can get started working for yourself. With sites such as eBay and Amazon to sell through, the barrier to entry is very low.

Online shopping is already huge business in the UK and it's only going to get bigger over the next few years. However to have success selling online, you have to find a good niche

Below are 5 of the best niches to sell in right now.

1. Electronics

Electronics are more popular now than they've ever been. With the huge surge in popularity of smart phones and tablets over the last 10 years, there is a massive potential customer base to tap into.

Selling high end products, such as iPhones or iPads might not be possible if you're new to buying and selling online. However there are many lower end and unbranded products you can sell and make an excellent profit from.

2. Pet products

There's no doubt that people in the UK love their pets. You can take advantage of this by entering the pet products industry. The great thing about selling pet products is that there's a lot of diversity in the products you can sell.

You can start out selling small accessories for hamster cages or aquariums and then move up to larger items such as dog beds or even horse trailers and horse boxes.

Get horsebox insurance quotes 

3. Phone accessories

With mobile phones now everywhere, there's a great opportunity to make money by selling accessories such as cases, covers, headphones, screen protectors etc.

Do your research and find out what the most popular phone models are so you can stock products that are most likely to sell.

4. Novelty gifts

The novelty gift market is growing all the time in the UK. The downside to selling in this niche is that it can be quiet fickle, with the popularity of products waning very quickly.

The flipside to this though, is that you can make plenty of money very quickly providing you have your finger on the pulse and know what it is that people are looking for.

5. Arts & crafts

Art and craft products are an excellent way to start making money selling online. Sites like YouTube and Pinterest have helped to spike a resurgence in the popularity of many types of arts and crafts so there's never been a better time to start selling products in this niche.… Read more

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The courier industry is notoriously competitive and only the most efficient businesses survive. If you run a courier firm and feel like your business could be performing better then you should find the tips below extremely useful.

1. Use the internet to bring in new customers

Given how prevalent the internet has become, it's very surprising just how underutilised it is by a lot of businesses. There are countless ways you can advertise your courier firm online, from social media to paid advertising platforms such as Google Ads and Facebook Ads. The great thing about advertising online is that you can be very specific with who you target so if you're trying to get more customers in a certain age range or area of the country then this is certainly possible.

2. Don't neglect real world advertising

As useful as online advertising is, there's still plenty to be said for real world advertising methods such as leaflet marketing and print advertisements. Print adverts in trade magazines and literature that's aimed at online sellers can be an excellent way to attract new customers.

3. Hire reliable drivers

Hiring reliable drivers can help you increase profits in a couple of ways. Firstly having reliable drivers that know how to deal with customers well will help to boost the reputation of your business and ultimately this could easily lead to a larger customer base and increased profits. Secondly, reliable drivers are less likely to be involved in collisions or other incidents and therefore you can save money on insurance.

4. Get a better deal on insurance

Another very reliable way to increase profits in your courier firm is to look for a better deal on insurance. There are many excellent sites where you can get courier insurance quotes from Clean Green Compare. Such sites make getting courier insurance quotes very quick and easy so there's no reason not to do this since it could save you a good deal of money.

5. Make your business stand out

There are many ways you can make your business stand out from the competition. Something as seemingly simple as a good business name can make a big difference to your success. Branding in general is something you should invest in if you want to make your business unique and appealing. In addition to this you should also ensure that you offer and excellent service that customers can rely on.… Read more

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If you currently work, or have worked, in the truck industry then there's a good chance you've considered starting your own business at some point. Starting your own business gives you the freedom to operate as you choose and to become self-reliant.

If you are planning to start your own trucking business then below are some of the key things that you must consider.

Choosing the right industry

The right industry is usually one that you have the most experience in. There are a lot similarities from one industry to the next where trucking is concerned but if you have years' of experience working as a recovery truck driver then it's probably better to stick to this rather than opting for an industry you have less experience in, such as refrigerated trucks.

Choosing the right industry at the start can be the difference between success and failure so this is certainly something you should think about carefully.

Hiring the right drivers

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Hiring the best drivers for your business is absolutely key. Self-driving trucks are still a long way in the future so for now you want to hire drivers with a lot of skill and experience and who you're confident will be able to do the job safely and effectively.

Some things to consider when hiring drivers are -

  • Their age - Age is extremely important when hiring drivers for your business. Most truck insurance providers will not offer cover for truck drivers who are under 25 years of age so you should ensure you hire experienced drivers who you'll be able to get cover for on your truck insurance policy.
  • Their experience - Experience is also key when hiring drivers. Just because a driver is over 25 doesn't mean they're necessarily experienced in driving a truck. You'll want to be sure that any drivers you hire have plenty of experience driving the particular trucks that your business operates and that they hold the right licences and have done adequate training.
  • Their driving history - In addition to hiring drivers who are over 25 and have plenty of experience driving a truck, you also want to check their driving histroy, including any points on their licence and their claims history. This will make a big difference when it comes to getting cover.

Getting cover at the best price

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When you're looking for cover for your trucking business, you want to go to specialist providers. Specialist providers of truck insurance will offer the best prices and be able to provide comprehensive cover for every aspect of your business. You should get quotes from several different providers so you can easily compare them and choose the one that offers the best value for money.

For more information on truck insurance for all kinds of trucks go to https://www.cleangreencars.co.uk/truck-insurance/… Read more

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If you have a conviction, whether it's for a motoring offence or something else, then you might think it's impossible to get work and find affordable insurance. This isn't necessarily true however.

It's certainly true that some employers and insurers might choose not to deal with you at all if you have a conviction but there are still options out there.

Below are some of the important things to be aware of.

Do I need to declare my conviction to employers?

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One of the most important things to be aware of when you have a conviction is whether you need to declare it or not. Whether you need to declare your conviction to employers will depend on whether it's spent or unspent.

For more serious convictions that carry a prison sentence of 2 and a half years or longer then the conviction will remain unspent indefinitely. For convictions that come with a fine or community service then they'll be spent after 5 years. For prison sentences of 6 months or less, the conviction will be spent after 7 years. For convictions with a 6 months to 2 and a half years prison sentence, they'll be spent after 10 years.

If you'd like to find out more about your particular conviction then here's a full list of motoring convictions along with their codes. 

Working as a freelance van driver

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The alternative to finding employment as a van driver is to set up as a freelancer. The good thing about working freelance is that you won't have the issue of having to declare your conviction to employers. However it's important to note that you'll still need to declare any unspent convictions to insurance providers. The same rules mentioned above apply.

Getting insurance at an affordable price

If you're looking for convicted driver's insurance then the best way to go about it is by going to a specialist provider. Many mainstream insurance providers don't deal with drivers who have a conviction; or if they do they only offer policies at drastically increased prices. The reason for this is simply because convicted drivers are statistically more likely to make a claim.

The good news is that there are specialist providers of van insurance for convicted drivers who deal with each person on a case-by-case basis. Although the price you can expect to pay for your van insurance will still be higher than it would if you didn't have a conviction, you will find that specialist providers offer much more reasonable prices that most people can afford.… Read more

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If you work as a courier, whether you work for a company or freelance, you’ll want to take every step you can to save money. This means getting fuel at the best price you can as well as taking any measures possible to save on insurance.

Courier insurance needs to protect you for the risks you face on the road, such as collisions, theft and fire. In addition to this you also need to think about the packages you’re transporting and protecting yourself from potential liability claims.
Before looking at the best ways you can save money on courier insurance, let’s look at the cover options available and the factors that impact on cost.

Types of courier insurance

  • Third party – Third party insurance is the minimum level of cover you need to be able to drive legally. It will cover other road users in the event that you are at fault for a collision. You can also add fire and theft to a third party policy for extra protection.
  • Comprehensive – A comprehensive policy will cover you for all types of collisions, even ones that you are liable for. It’s usually recommended when you can afford it.
  • Public liability – Public liability will protect you against liability claims from members of the public, should you injure or kill somewhere due to negligence.
  • Goods in transit – Goods in transit will protect the packages you’re carrying in your vehicle for theft and damage.
  • Breakdown assistance – Breakdown assistance is a must when you rely on your vehicle to make a living. If you already have it then it’s still worth finding out how much it would cost to have it included in your policy since you might be able to save money.

Factors that affect cost

  • Your age – Your age will certainly affect the price of your insurance. Drivers under the age of 25 are statistically more likely to be involved in a collision so if you’re in this age bracket then you can expect to pay more for a policy.
  • Your experience – Your driving experience will also impact the cost of courier insurance. The more experience you have on the roads, the less you can expect to pay.
  • Your vehicle – The value of your vehicle also has a big impact on cost. This is why it’s better to seek out a moderately priced vehicle if possible.

Best ways to save money

Below are some of the best ways to save money on courier insurance –

  • Make your vehicle secure – You should always make the effort to secure your vehicle by installing security devices such an alarm and tracking device. Taking these measures will help to lower the cost of your insurance significantly.
  • Pay annually – If you can afford to pay for your policy annually then you’ll be able to negotiate a lower rate with your insurance provider.
  • Get a lot of quotes - Getting quotes from different insurance providers makes it easy to pick out the policy that offers the best value for money.
… Read more
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If you enjoy working with cars then you might be considering setting up your own business in the motor trade. The great thing about working in the motor trade is that there are a lot of different paths to choose. Some common businesses in the motor trade include –

  • Car showrooms
  • Car auctions
  • Valeting services
  • MOT centres
  • Mechanics
  • Auto electricians
  • Delivery agents
  • Accessory fitters
  • Vehicle importers

These are just some of the businesses you could set up in the motor trade. In order to help you get started, below are some of the most important things to consider when setting up a new business.

Premises

Thinking about the type of premises you’ll need is extremely important. Some businesses will require much larger premises than others. For example, a car auction will typically need a very large plot of land, while you could set up a car showroom on much more modest premises.

When thinking about the premises, it’s not just size you need to consider though. Location is also extremely important. The location of your premises could have a big impact on how well your business performs. For businesses that rely on a good amount of foot traffic, such as showrooms and valeting services, you’ll want to find a place that has good visibility.

Another key decision to make where premises are concerned is whether you’re going to rent or buy. For most new starters in the motor trade, it’s much better to rent until you’re fully confident that you’re happy with the premises.

Staff

Staff is another key consideration when setting up a new business in the motor trade. Different types of businesses require different skills. Ideally you’ll be starting a business that you have personal experience in so you can easily identify and hire the right people.

Motor trade insurance

The minimum requirements for getting a motor trade insurance policy are as follows –

  • You must hold a full UK driver’s licence
  • You must be at least 21 years of age
  • You must be able to prove that you work in the motor trade

Types of cover you can get include –

  • Third party – A third party policy will provide enough protection so you and your staff can drive customer vehicles legally. It’s important to note that your vehicles wouldn’t be covered unless a third party was to blame for

the collision.

  • Third party, fire & theft – If want to add extra protection to a third party policy then this is a good option. If any of your vehicles are stolen or damaged by fire then you’d be compensated.
  • Comprehensive – Comprehensive insurance will provide the best level of protection and will cover customer vehicles for all types of collisions, even when you or your staff are liable for them.

Combined policy – A combined policy is an excellent choice when you work in the motor trade. It will not only provide full protection for customer and company vehicles but also cover your premises for theft and vandalism. Stock, tools and cash can

Shop around for your motor trade insurance (traders-insurance.com is a good place to start and they can provide insurance quotes for full time and part time motor traders)… Read more

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As an analyst of the economy and the property market, one must be patient to see if one's predictions are right or wrong and to see what unfolds. One never knows if they'll be wrong or right, but they must have a sense of humility about it that they're not oblivious to the reality of the marketplace.

If possible, don't move out until you have sold the house. Maybe someone in the family can stay behind or live there sometimes until the home is sold.

If you made this error fast call your agent and check through your Empty House Insurance. Subtract the cost in the land and you'll find out that you will need far less coverage.

Discounts - A big property insurance company that covers vehicles and homes may offer discounts that are popular if you transfer them all your business. Some insurers will offer discounts for anti-theft or safety features also. You are going to desire to find the insurance company who'll give you the greatest price for things you do, or that you could do. Many of the reductions that insurers offer are for things that are wise to do anyway. Insurance companies keep lots of data, and they consider these activities, like installing smoke detectors, helps cut claims and saves lives.

Become a revered source empowering them to get what they want. For example if your target market is convenience stores and your niche is Clean Green Compare Unoccupied property insurance what makes that alluring to a convenience store owner? For preventing catastrophic differences in coverage that puts owners out of business you desire to become the recognized expert. You've got expertise working with small business owners like them. Their requirements are known by you, and you understand what to search for to make sure they are neither over nor under assured.

A motive to contact the owner to see if they desire to sell or lease the property. look for vacant property insurance, as this is A vacancy is typically a landlord 'pain' factor that requires relief.

Do not mail a letter or a postcard if it lists the benefits of working with you, doesn't have a powerful headline and offers people something free when they react.

Since the worth is what directly impacts your rates first to start this process, take time to value your house. What most people do is add the price of the property on which the building stands to the value of the building. Think about it, it has nothing to do with the worth of the building. land isn't to be contemplated the in valuing your home,. With this simple subtraction, lots of cash has only been saved.

When you make a promise, stand behind that guarantee to the best of your ability. Go beyond and above what you assure any time you are able to and do everything possible to preserve your integrity.

It's possible for you to use this strategy in your Contents claim. Your dwelling, condominium, apartment or business is full of personal property that you've bought over the years that (a) is obsolete or (b) you are not using anymore. A business could have office equipment that is not sold or outdated or inventory items. In each event, you have every right to be paid the correctly calculated ACV for those items. Then, you can use those dollars to offset the "holdback" sum when you are making your replacing purchases.… Read more

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When you start a new business it's fundamental that you know how to market it in the right way. Knowing how to market your business well can easily be the difference between success and failure, particularly with a new business.

With so many different methods of marketing now available to business owners, it can be difficult to know where to put your attention. Below are some of the main types of marketing you can use for your business and how to take advantage of them properly.

Use social media the right way

A lot of business owners are vaguely aware of how useful social media can be for marketing purposes without really having a grasp of how to use it effectively. One of the most important aspects of using social media to successfully market your business is knowing the right platforms to use and

The primary purpose of social media sites, whether it's Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube, sharing content. A lot of business owners forget this and simply see them as a platform to relentlessly push their products and services. Of course you do want to post about what it is that your business is offering sometimes but the key is to strike a balance between providing useful, shareable content and informing people of your products/services.

Don't dismiss real world marketing

Because there's so much focus on online marketing these days, it's easy to dismiss more traditional forms of advertising, such as leaflet marketing, print ads and billboards as being outdated. This couldn't be further from the truth. Depending on the type of business you run, real world advertising might actually be more beneficial than online marketing.

When thinking about how to use real world marketing for your business, you should think about the types of customers you want to reach and where to advertise for maximum impact. For example if you run a business selling computer supplies then a reputable PC or computing magazine would be a great place to run an ad.

Make sure your site is SEO optimized

Something that is easy to overlook since it isn't necessarily always considered a direct form of marketing is making your website SEO optimized. Search engine optimization might not be as direct when compared to other forms of marketing but it can make a huge difference to the amount of people who find your business through search engines. You should find out what keyword phrases your target customers are using to search for your products/services and make your pages optimized around these phrases.… Read more